THE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST LEADING A NEW ERA OF U.S. SOCCER
Sophia Smith
b. 2000 · Athlete
Early Life
Sophia Smith was born on August 10, 2000, in Windsor, Colorado, and grew up in a soccer-playing family; both of her parents played college soccer, and her sister also played the sport competitively. She showed early standout talent, playing up in age groups and earning national youth team recognition as a teenager.
Smith starred for the U.S. Under-17 and Under-20 national teams before committing to Stanford University, where she helped lead the Cardinal to an NCAA national championship before turning professional early.
Rise to Fame
Smith was selected first overall in the 2020 NWSL Draft by the Portland Thorns, turning professional after two seasons at Stanford. She quickly established herself as one of the league’s most dynamic young forwards, known for her speed, finishing, and attacking creativity.
She made her senior U.S. Women’s National Team debut in 2020 and steadily worked her way into a starting role, becoming a key attacking piece in the buildup to the 2023 World Cup and beyond.
Career Highlights
Smith helped lead the Portland Thorns to the 2022 NWSL Championship title, and was named NWSL Young Player of the Year and later NWSL MVP as her club and individual performances continued to rise. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she was a central figure in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s run to the gold medal, scoring a crucial goal in the final.
Smith has continued to be a focal point of the U.S. attack heading into 2025 and 2026, recognized as one of the sport’s most explosive and consistent young forwards on both the club and international stage.
Personal Life
Smith has been in a relationship with fellow professional soccer player Michael Hazime. She has spoken about the influence of her family’s soccer background on her development and has been open about balancing the pressures of being a high-profile young athlete.
Off the field, Smith has become known for her outspoken personality and has used her platform to advocate for growth in women’s soccer, including pay equity and increased visibility for the NWSL.
Net Worth & Legacy
Sophia Smith’s net worth is estimated in the low millions of dollars, built through her NWSL salary, U.S. Soccer compensation, and brand endorsements including Nike.
From a Colorado youth standout to an Olympic gold medalist and NWSL MVP, Smith has built a career defined by explosive talent and rapid rise, establishing herself as one of the faces of the next generation of U.S. Women’s National Team stars.